Ben-Hur (1959) (Ultimate Collector's Edition)

[Swissangel4616]

LOL, I'm buying now my 4th media version of Ben Hur. From VHS to the first DVD release ca. 2000, then the 4 Disc Edition and now on Blu-Ray. What will coming as next...? jumping in the movie Edition with a Remote Control? :-D

[Douglas R]

Originally Posted by Swissangel4616

LOL, I'm buying now my 4th media version of Ben Hur. From VHS to the first DVD release ca. 2000, then the 4 Disc Edition and now on Blu-Ray. What will coming as next...? jumping in the movie Edition with a Remote Control? :-D

I think I'm coming up to my 6th or 7th version. There were 2 or maybe 3 VHS versions, the first DVD and the 4 disc set. I also have a limited 2 disc DVD version with the discs enclosed in a 50 page hardback book, which was issued in Spain:

[The Duke]

Originally Posted by Swissangel4616

LOL, I'm buying now my 4th media version of Ben Hur. From VHS to the first DVD release ca. 2000, then the 4 Disc Edition and now on Blu-Ray. What will coming as next...? jumping in the movie Edition with a Remote Control? :-D

Probably conversion to 3D. But I'm holding on until they perfect the 4D holographic surround experience.

[Eagle_23]

Just ordered The Ten Commandments set from Amazon. Can't wait to have both in my collection. Oddly enough I've only seen a few bits of Ben-Hur here and there so I'm very excited to finally see it in it's entirety.

[Joe Bond]

Originally Posted by Z0MBIELANDS

mad:
The UK release looks like it's just a transfer of the DVD!! And no sign of the US boxset which is region encoded !!!
Why are we so short changed by the US????

I am willing to bet the amazon UK listing is incorrect when it comes to the amount of discs listed since they list the new Charlton Heston documentary in the bonus feature section. It also says its region free. I am willing to bet it has the three BD's in a regular 3 disc Blu-ray case.

[bluskies]

Originally Posted by RBBrittain

We'll get the silent alright, but with only two BDs (one of which will be strictly for the 1959 version), I doubt the 1925 version will be 1080p. It may not be possible without upconversion as the current restoration was done by Thames Television in the UK many years ago; that edition may not even exist at greater than PAL resolution. (Since WB masters nearly all movie discs to U.S. standards, even the UK edition would likely carry it in NTSC or 480p.)

There's a 2-page ad in the Home Media Magazine that shows 3 BDs and mentions a 3-disc set in the "article" on the first page...but, oddly, it never mentions the silent version. I am not sure how much we can say will be final because they are still using box art that says Fiftieth Anniversary.

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ques...988145TBN/#/20

[DaViD Boulet]

Originally Posted by ole geezer

Is that written in stone.

If one day the studio can seamlessly entergrate more life like special effects during certain scenes of the 10 Commandments as part of a new edition, I wouldn't have a problem with it. Might even make it more interesting. In fact, I wouldn't mind seeing this title converted someday to 3D.
...actually it would be more like re-recording the current sound track to perhaps 7.2 DD. Now THAT would be interesting.

No, remixing an existing recording would be akin to going back and re-integrating the optical effects into a final print with less optical dust and noise.

That's entirely different than *re recording* bran-new content... audio or video.

Is this really a serious discussion given the tenants of this forum?

[garyrc]

Originally Posted by Socko

Can someone convince me to blindbuy this
I've only seen a few minutes of the chariot race when I was a child.

To Socko, and anyone else:

• Ben-Hur is powerful, compassionate, spiritual and literate
• It comes at the issue of religion from a slightly different perspective than many other religious epics. Many of the filmmakers, including the legendary master director William Wyler, were slightly to the Left .. this is not a film from the Religious Right. Wyler sensitively handled all of the religious material, as he also did in Friendly Persuasion, and some of its power may be there because of the minimalist handling of spiritual matters. San Francisco's Bishop Pike deemed it "The most deeply religious film I've ever seen." "Deeply," IMO, because it is about real love -- familial, brotherly, spiritual -- and the interplay of love and hate. One critic said that Wyler was "The perfect director to humanize a spectacle" ... and he was.
• Some people are confused by the presence of Heston in a film like the one described above. He was rather more liberal in those days. He participated in Civil Rights protests, and a few years later was the co-chairman of the Stage and Screen Committee for Martin Luther King's march on Washington. Later, when he became more conservative, he said he thought the goals of liberalism had been reached, and he was moving on to other issues.

Unless you have a very large screen, sit much closer than most people usually do for most films, because the 2.75:1 aspect ratio will reduce the height of your screen and the power and impact. If you have a good sound system, go ahead and crank it up. The original 6 channel stereo soundtrack was magnificent, as was Dr. Rozsa's score.

[Socko]

Originally Posted by garyrc

To Socko, and anyone else:

• Ben-Hur is powerful, compassionate, spiritual and literate
• It comes at the issue of religion from a slightly different perspective than many other religious epics. Many of the filmmakers, including the legendary master director William Wyler, were slightly to the Left .. this is not a film from the Religious Right. Wyler sensitively handled all of the religious material, as he also did in Friendly Persuasion, and some of its power may be there because of the minimalist handling of spiritual matters. San Francisco's Bishop Pike deemed it "The most deeply religious film I've ever seen." "Deeply," IMO, because it is about real love -- familial, brotherly, spiritual -- and the interplay of love and hate. One critic said that Wyler was "The perfect director to humanize a spectacle" ... and he was.
• Some people are confused by the presence of Heston in a film like the one described above. He was rather more liberal in those days. He participated in Civil Rights protests, and a few years later was the co-chairman of Martin Luther King's march on Washington. Later, when he became more conservative, he said he thought the goals of liberalism had been reached, and he was moving on to other issues.

Unless you have a very large screen, sit much closer than most people usually do for most films, because the 2.75:1 aspect ratio will reduce the height of your screen and the power and impact. If you have a good sound system, go ahead and crank it up. The original 6 channel stereo soundtrack was magnificent, as was Dr. Rozsa's score.

Thanks for this post.

I do have a large screen and great audio setup

[Constitution 101]

Originally Posted by garyrc

To Socko, and anyone else:

• Ben-Hur is powerful, compassionate, spiritual and literate
• It comes at the issue of religion from a slightly different perspective than many other religious epics. Many of the filmmakers, including the legendary master director William Wyler, were slightly to the Left .. this is not a film from the Religious Right. Wyler sensitively handled all of the religious material, as he also did in Friendly Persuasion, and some of its power may be there because of the minimalist handling of spiritual matters. San Francisco's Bishop Pike deemed it "The most deeply religious film I've ever seen." "Deeply," IMO, because it is about real love -- familial, brotherly, spiritual -- and the interplay of love and hate. One critic said that Wyler was "The perfect director to humanize a spectacle" ... and he was.
• Some people are confused by the presence of Heston in a film like the one described above. He was rather more liberal in those days. He participated in Civil Rights protests, and a few years later was the co-chairman of the Stage and Screen Committee for Martin Luther King's march on Washington. Later, when he became more conservative, he said he thought the goals of liberalism had been reached, and he was moving on to other issues.

Unless you have a very large screen, sit much closer than most people usually do for most films, because the 2.75:1 aspect ratio will reduce the height of your screen and the power and impact. If you have a good sound system, go ahead and crank it up. The original 6 channel stereo soundtrack was magnificent, as was Dr. Rozsa's score.

True, but back then liberal meant something VERY different from today. Heston was what was referred to as a CLASSICAL liberal.

[garyrc]

Originally Posted by Constitution 101

True, but back then liberal meant something VERY different from today. Heston was what was referred to as a CLASSICAL liberal.

Yes, and William Wyler and John Huston could be called classical liberals (although not very active, except for the Committee for the First Amendment, against the witch hunt), while John Ford might be called a classical conservative. DeMille was somewhat more conservative, but nevertheless cast Edmund G. Robinson in The Ten Commandments, helping break the Red Channels List. True, Robinson had already said "The Reds made a sucker out of me," but it was a return to normalcy for a director like DeMille to employ him.

IMO Ben-Hur, made from a somewhat liberal point of view, and The Ten Commandments, made from a somewhat conservative point of view are two films that express religious sentiment without stirring too much polarization, and are more effective for doing so.

It seems to me that people could see, understand and make films about an opposing point of view a little better back then. Manny Farber pointed out that The Maltese Falcon is a story with a conservative point of view with a liberal director, and The Grapes of Wrath is liberal material with a conservative director -- and both films are marvelous!

[Boob-Ray]

Originally Posted by The Duke

I only saw this on TV as a kid and also pretty much only remember the chariot races as well. It's not a religious themed as The 10 Commandments is it? I bought that, even though I do have a very negative reaction to Christian imagery. I really enjoy the first 1/2 - 2/3rds of 10 Commandments where it's set in Egypt, but for me it all goes downhill starting with the parting of the red sea; the burning bush and on Mt. Sinai where he gets the commandments from God are downright laughable.

Based on all your comments, I think you might actually really like this movie, Duke - given your skeptical view. Ben Hur isn't a biblical story like the Ten Commandments is. It was written in the 1880s by a Civil War vet, I think. It was a massive hit and best seller: huge plays, early film versions, the works.

It's always seemed odd to me that it was subtitled "a Tale of the Christ." But nevertheless, the movie's about a friendship between a skeptic and a guy who has a strong faith. And the amazing paths that their beliefs take them on. It's completely plausible and a very real story in that sense. It's only set during the time of Jesus, who does appear briefly. Of course, many find it faith affirming, but not the way you think. Faith, and the lack their of, have their price.

This movie's bad-azz.

[CinemaScope]

One fault all these films share is that the second half is never as good as the first. Ben-Hur gets round this by having that fantastic chariot race in the second half. It's films like this & Mutiny On The Bounty (62) where Blu-ray really shines (& I'll have them both by Christmas!).

[garyrc]

Originally Posted by CinemaScope

One fault all these films share is that the second half is never as good as the first. Ben-Hur gets round this by having that fantastic chariot race in the second half. It's films like this & Mutiny On The Bounty (62) where Blu-ray really shines (& I'll have them both by Christmas!).

I feel just the opposite in the case of Ben-Hur. If you don't take the intermission as the half way point (it occurs somewhat later than midway through), then the actual second half (~~105 minutes) is better, reveals the complexity of the characters, and allows us to experience the central controlling idea on an emotional as well as intellectual level. As Leonard Maltin said, it's "redeemed by the strength of its convictions."

As to The Duke's objection to Christian imagery, I need to say that my friends of both 1959/60 and 1968 (the dates of the two 70 mm releases) were atheists, agnostics, Jews, Christians of the Left, Middle, & Right varieties, and, out of about 25 +, all but two loved the film, and talked about it for years to come.* One of the two who disliked it was a Catholic, and the other was a very fundamentalist Protestant.


*All had the good taste to see it in 70 mm; at UC, director Wyler -- even though he had just one good ear -- indicated that it would be inappropriate to experience it in 35 mm mono optical, and I agree. The loss of the dynamics in the sound, especially, would suck some of the power out of the film. Fortunately, those of us with good audio systems will have a chance to at least hear it right in Blu-ray, if they don't compress the dynamic range.

[Boob-Ray]

Oh man, that soundtrack!! I can hear it now in my head: Da-da-daaaaa!! It has the potential to sound absolutely incredible in hi-res! That alone will make this a worthy upgrade. Throw in an extensive, 2-year, million-dollar, 8k restoration...

I can't wait!! This has the potential to be a real stunner.

[lkmg]

This will be my 4th time buying Ben-Hur. Hope it would be the last time. No more newer format for me.

[Boob-Ray]

Originally Posted by lkmg

This will be my 4th time buying Ben-Hur. Hope it would be the last time. No more newer format for me.

Well, my TV is over 60 inches. Now...at a resolution of 1920 x 1080, if that were a computer monitor -- that would be horribly low res. I would want something around 5760 x 3240.

So....there's room to grow.

[Aquel]

So it is confirmed it will keep the orignal aspect ratio of 2.75? Got to find a way to sit closer then :P

Movie sounds more interesting now that I read here the movie doesn't convey "Thou art believer or thou art wicked" messages

[garyrc]

Originally Posted by Boob-Ray

Oh man, that soundtrack!! I can hear it now in my head: Da-da-daaaaa!! It has the potential to sound absolutely incredible in hi-res! That alone will make this a worthy upgrade. Throw in an extensive, 2-year, million-dollar, 8k restoration...

I can't wait!! This has the potential to be a real stunner.

It certainly was a stunner in 70 mm. The sound on the previous home video releases was dynamically compressed a bit, perhaps in an attempt to avoid blowing out people's cheesy 2" x 3" TV speakers. I assume that they now know that Blu-ray collectors are likely to have speakers that can take it. In the two 70 mm theaters I saw it in, the opening motif (in the Prelude, before the movie started) was very loud, powerful, and dignified. At the end of the Prelude, as the music got softer and softer, the house lights very gradually dimmed with the light on the huge curved curtains lagging behind a bit in their dimming ... the effect was like moving forward, becoming more immersed in the arc of the curtains. One person described it as falling slowly into the screen. When the curtains finally opened during the last note, it was in nearly total darkness. A friend of a friend who was a 70 mm projectionist told me that this pattern of dimming lights as the music got softer was specified in a written set of instructions from MGM. Those were the days!

Being careful to avoid spoilers, I'll report that certain sound effects were loud enough to make people jump, or shift in their seats (it was great watching this happen!), and one effect was so strong that it created a breeze in the theater that the people toward the front could feel on their faces (every time; this was no fluke). The recording, as reproduced on the theater's Ampex/JBL system (originally installed for 70 mm Todd-AO, but willingly used by Camera 65, and other 70 mm processes) is the only one I have heard to this day that adequately reproduced the exciting sound of massed strings almost, but not quite, playing in perfect unison. I was used to hearing this sound when I played in several orchestras over the years, but never before or since in a film, or on a CD, Lp, or SACD. Finally, it is hard to imagine a more appropriate composer to score Ben-Hur than Dr. Rozsa.

[RipleyLV426]

For those who ordered the cheaper UK release and thinking they would get it a good 2 weeks earlier...our hopes have been shot down. Release has been moved to Sept. 26